Pilots must have regular mental and physical check-ups, the UN world aviation body has said, after it emerged that a Germanwings first officer deliberately crashed his plane killing all 150 on board.

Pilots must have regular mental and physical check-ups, the UN world aviation body has said, after it emerged that a Germanwings first officer deliberately crashed his plane killing all 150 on board.

All pilots are required to "undergo a periodic medical examination (by a doctor who is trained in aviation medicine) that includes both a physical and a mental assessment," the Montreal-based International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) yesterday said in a statement.

"If there is any concern from this medical screening then a further, more specialized, assessment can be undertaken that may include neuropsychological testing," the UN agency added.

French authorities said the co-pilot of the Germanwings flight appeared to have slammed his Airbus A320 into the French Alps on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old initiated the plane's descent while alone at the controls and refused to open the locked cockpit door for the captain, who was believed to have gone to the toilet.